26 April 2026

Lithuania’s poverty risk rate rose to 22.6% last year, while 5.8% of residents lived below the absolute poverty line. The poverty-risk threshold for a person living alone reached 699 euros a month, up 13.5% from a year earlier.

Justice Ministry data released today showed the Social Democrats lost nearly 400 members over six months, the Conservatives about 100, while Nemuno ausra added more than 100. The shifts matter ahead of party congresses and local chapter votes, where membership still shapes influence and candidate selection. President Gitanas Nauseda on Saturday sent parliament a ratification bill to establish a Council of Europe information point for Belarusians in Vilnius. The centre is due to operate from the Martynas Mazvydas National Library, and the government would still need to formalise rent-free use of the space.

In Panevezys, 31-year-old paramedic Mantas Sadauskas is being buried today after his body was found in the district following a search that gripped the region. Police are investigating murder and unlawful detention, and three people have been detained in the case. Defence minister Robertas Kaunas said over the past two days that Lithuania is accelerating purchases of battlefield-tested technology from Ukraine and preparing joint projects. The priority list is better air surveillance, stronger air defence, drones, radar and counter-drone systems.

Lithuanian business representatives warned over the past day of another round of price rises as euro zone annual inflation accelerated to 2.5% in March. That raises the risk that another repricing cycle will reach Lithuanian retailers in the coming weeks.

Strong winds disrupted electricity supply to more than 6,000 households in Lithuania. Economist Žygimantas Mauricas warned that a recession risk could become evident in the next two to three months.

Russian drone and missile strikes over the past 48 hours killed at least three people in Ukraine and wounded dozens more in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. Officials said 20 people were injured in Kharkiv region and another eight in Zaporizhzhia, with residential areas and civilian infrastructure hit. Ukrainian air defences said Russia launched 144 drones overnight and that most were shot down or diverted, but the barrage still injured civilians in several regions and damaged energy facilities.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy today accused Russia of nuclear terrorism after fresh strikes on energy sites and infrastructure linked to nuclear safety. The financial cost of the war is becoming clearer in Ukraine’s power sector, where restoration work has doubled in price. In Crimea, at least one person was killed in a suspected Ukrainian drone attack. Ukrainian forces also said they had destroyed three Russian warships and a fighter jet in Crimea.

Russian economists warned that even a rise in oil revenue would not fix the country’s deeper economic weaknesses. Freedom Finance Global analyst Natalya Milchakova said higher oil prices could add 1-3 trillion roubles to this year’s budget, but output is weakening, investment is stalling and borrowing remains costly even after rates were cut to 15%. Last week Vladimir Putin publicly demanded explanations for why some macroeconomic data was missing from both government and central bank forecasts. Russian opposition and war analysts added that the biggest threat to the Kremlin would be an internal coup or a breakdown in the security apparatus after battlefield setbacks and a sharper economic slump.

Late developments centred on the war in Ukraine, with a field commander describing the battle for Bakhmut as a grim siege. Russia also confirmed that Iran’s foreign minister will visit Moscow for talks.

Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon on Saturday, becoming the first man to break two hours in an official marathon. World Athletics called it a road world record, and the Kenyan also retained his London title.

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday after a fresh rocket attack from southern Lebanon. Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was both retaliation and an effort to stop Hezbollah rebuilding along the northern border. Israeli statements said the ceasefire in place since November 2024 was collapsing because of Hezbollah’s actions. US-Iran diplomacy remains stalled after talks due in Pakistan over the past two days were postponed, while Washington keeps heightened military measures around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran separately released footage showing the seizure of two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In Washington, 7-8 shots were fired at an event linked to the White House Correspondents' dinner, and Donald Trump was rushed out of the Washington Hilton. Investigators identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of California and said he used a shotgun. Trump said he believed the gunman acted alone, while world leaders including the UK king stressed that the US president was safe after the attack. Trump later said the shooting would not deter him from victory in the war with Iran.

In Colombia, 14 people were killed in a highway bombing ahead of elections. A widely shared comment by astrologer Palmira Kelertienė about Uranus shifting into Gemini remains commentary rather than verifiable world news.

NASA could delay a crewed Moon landing by up to three more years. The Israeli military warned residents to evacuate seven villages in southern Lebanon. In Colombia, 14 people were killed in a highway bomb blast ahead of elections.